2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual communications education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Leading the list is Cuny New York City College Of Technology, our #1 best value for visual communications in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,000. Visual Communications graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $21,445 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #2. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Mohawk Valley Community College one of the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $38,373. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Farmingdale State College one of the best values for visual communications. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $27,827. That is a strong return on a $18,875 median debt. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $27,896 early in their careers. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harford Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $50,636. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #7 for value in visual communications this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,257. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Broome Community College placed #8 among the best values for visual communications. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,830 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Broome Community College generally make around $41,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Delaware placed #9 among the best values for visual communications. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $42,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Adirondack Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,844, compared with $9,616 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,358 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. That is a strong return on a $12,358 median debt.
Kean University earned the #11 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,713 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University earned the #12 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,054. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $21,531. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $34,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $29,250. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #15 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $17,500. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $41,382. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bowie State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $28,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $47,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
La Roche College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,052. Students borrow a median of $27,078 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from La Roche College generally make around $54,268. That is a strong return on a $27,078 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $39,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Visual Communications graduates of Ocean County Vocational Technical School earn a median of $27,482 early in their careers.
Juniata College came in at #21 for value in visual communications this year. Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntingdon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,580. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,976. Visual Communications graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $30,552 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Juniata College admits about 79% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #22 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $32,397. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #23 position for value in visual communications this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Stevenson University placed #24 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,560. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $27,969. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #25 for value in visual communications this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual communications value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
